Summer 2013 Go Go Go!

It’s summer again! And guess where I am? KOREA (once again)! This time, however, I am living and working in Seoul. What’s my job you may ask? I, along with 3 other Smith students, am an intern for the ruling political party of South Korea entitled Saenuri, or the New Frontier, Party. If you compare it to the United States, we are working on Korea‘s capital hill for the Republican party. HOWEVER! Unlike the US, the political parties here are not so black or white, so it‘s kind of unfair to call them the republican equivent (although it is a very conservative party).

Today is my second day working at the office of Congressman Kim Jong Hoon and so far I LOVE it! When I first got appointed to Congressman Kim’s office I was extremely excited. Many non-Koreans don’t know but one year ago Congressman Kim (he was not a congressman at the time) was the chief negotiator for the U.S-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA). I'm honored to be working under such a significant figure in the Korean parliament. What do I love most about working here? My co-workers! Each congressman, according to law, is only allowed to have 7 associates (as an intern I’m the 7th member). Among the seven members there is the congressional aid who acts as the congressman’s right-hand man or woman (our office has one), secretarial officials (our office has two), secretaries (our offiec has three), and then me, the intern. From the start everyone was so welcoming and nice to me and I found it really easy to talk to each of them, despite them being in higher positions. I even joke around with most of them! Congressman Kim and secretarial offical Kim are the only two in our office that speak English fluently so I am forced to speak Korean about 90% of the time (but I was expecting that already). On my first day there was nothing for me to do for the majority of the day so I just tried to read Korean economic books and learned new terminology like democracy (민주주의), political structure (정치 체제), global financial market (세계 금융 시장), and other government-related terms. When Congressman Kim came back to the office (he’s rarely here because of constant committee hearings) I got my first assignment. This Sunday he will be giving a talk to students from the United Arab Emirates so he put me in charge of collecting research on his lecture topic. It’s kind of a lot of pressure because the information that I find will be what he bases his lecture on, so if I get something wrong then he is the one who is embarrassed. At the same time, I have confidence because of all the research experience my East Asian studies and government classes have given me. The assignment is due on Thursday, but because this is my first time researching for someone else, I want to present it to my Congressman ahead of time to make sure I am not leaving anything out.

Another great thing about participating in the internship program is each Tuesday we have field trips to different places in Seoul. Today was our first one to the main building of the National Assembly, the building where parliament members vote on bills and such. It’s very similar to the U.S Capitol building.

Something interesting: When I came to work for the first time yesterday (Monday 6/17), I was looking forward to cooling down inside the office building or at least in my Congressman’s office because outside is SO humid. BUT on the contrary I felt like I was having a heat stroke just by sitting in my chair. Americans blast the air conditioning in buildings but one of Saenuri’s pledges is to create a more environmentally sustainable Korea, and if they blow air conditioning throughout this huge building then it would definitely make them seem hypocritical. Just by doing that I can tell that the Saenuri Party is committed to and stands by what they say to and promise the people.

So everything is so far so good. I hope these 2 months don't go by too fast!

Mid Summer Crisis!

Last week it suddenly hit me that my time in Korea is more than halfway over! NOOO!! I don't ever want this experience to end!! I also noticed that I haven't taken advantage of the easy traveling options from Yeosu to other places in Korea. Until recently I had only gone to Seoul but their is so much more to Korea than just Seoul. Because of my "mid-life crisis" I pulled together a list of places that I want to go to before the end of the summer. So this is my.....

 Summer To-do/Bucket List:

Odongdo - An island right across from Expo site. I can either go by shuttle bus or walking. Why I still haven't gone there I have no idea!

Gwangju - To meet with my new friend who came with her school to Expo.

Gyeongju - Korean Pre-modern history was one of my favorite classes last semester. I really want to go to Gyeongju, the old capital of Silla dynasty, and see the historical buildings. This trip is an absolute must!

Rest of expo - So much more to check out! I still haven't been to the Korean Pavilion (completed 7/1), Aquarium, most of the Business Pavilions, and the Theme Pavilion (completed 7/1).

Busan (completed 6/27-28) - To explore and also meet a friend I met in San Diego, Cali. I went this past break. The beaches there are amazing! I can't wait to go back.

Suncheon - It's about 2 train stops from away from Yeosu. To me, the nature of Suncheon is what makes it attractive.

Yeosu/Jeollanam-do - There is so much more in Yeosu than just the expo. A friend recommended I go to Hyangilam Temple. I also want to check out the historical part of Yeosu (Yi Sun-sin square).

Songnisan National Park - It's a little farther than other places I want to go to but I saw pictures and the park looks amazing!

DMZ tour - I might have to wait until I come back to Korea but this is something that I really want to experience.

천사의집- Angel House

Welcome to Angel House!

If you take the SeoulMetro to Yeonsinae Station 연신내역 , walk up the stairs of Exit 3, take bus number 703 to Goyang market고양시장, ride it for about 30 minutes, transfer to minibus number 54, and ride it all the way to the end of the bus line, you’ll find Angel House 천사의집, an orphanage catered to people with disabilities. Every first and third Saturday of each month, a group of volunteers take a trip to Angel House to help out for the day. Saturday June 3, 2012, three Student Ambassadors of the USA pavilion traveled to Seoul in order to be a part of this group. The ambassadors include Eric Park, Brisbane Naomi, and myself.

Because of its location in Goyangsi Dukyangu 고양시 덕양구 on the edge of Seoul, the residents have very little interaction with people outside of Angel House, hence why the first and third Saturday of each month is really special to them. Using the word orphanage is not quite the appropriate description for Angel House. The house is home to 50 residents of all ages with various disabilities.

When we arrived, the 40+ volunteers split up into 4 groups. Brisbane and I joined the laundry team while Eric joined the cooking team. Being part of the laundry team did not just involve washing, drying, and folding. The washing method we used made it feel like we were back in the 1800s. One of the volunteers started by stomping in a big tub of wet laundry, 7 other volunteers, including Brisbane and me, used wooden scrub boards to clean the clothing one-by-one with soap, and the rest washed the soap out in the washing machine and hung the clothes on the clothing line. During this time, Brisbane and I had the chance to chat with other volunteers. Everyone had a different reason for being in Korea and volunteering at Angel House. For some volunteers, this was their first time at Angel House. Others, like Nadia, a chemical engineer from Mozambique, are veterans. We also met an English teacher from Cincinnati, OH, two engineering students from Seoul, retired US soldiers, and an English teacher from Great Britain.

Working hard scrubbing! This was my first time using a wooden scrubbing board. Left: Engineering student friend, Yohan. Right: English Teacher from Great Britain.

끝나! All finished!

After about 1.5 hours later, with the laundry completely finished, we went back into the house and helped put instruction stickers on the back of nail polish packets. We didn’t know why exactly we were doing it but our best guess was the company that owns the product supports Angel House in some way or another and Angel House repays them back with small labor tasks. After tediously putting sticker-after-sticker on, it was time for the residents and the volunteers to eat dinner together. The cooking team made black bean noodles자장면and dumplings 만두. Once dinner was finished and everything was cleaned up, everyone headed upstairs for music, fun, and games. During this time the volunteers got to meet more residents, converse with them, take pictures together, etc. Game time was not perfect though. One of the residents started kicking and punching other residents. It took a while for him to calm down but once he did all peace was restored and everyone continued to have a fun time together.

Picture time!

Dancing~ :)

As 7pm rolled around, it was time for the volunteers to return to the city. You could tell the residents were very grateful, however, I felt even more grateful. I noticed

by the end of the visit that my mind had forgotten all about things outside of Angel

House, including my cellphone. Usually I am constantly checking my phone to see if

there is Wi-Fi or if any messages arrived. However, during the 5 hours I spent at Angel

House I did not take out my phone once. Parting with Angel House was not sad in the slightest because we know that we will be back next month, hopefully with even more Student Ambassadors.

Brisbane, Eric, and me with one of the residence

Same Place, Completely Different Reason

This is my second time coming to Seoul and navigating around is getting easier and easier. Getting on the right side of the platform to go in the right direction was a challenge once I arrived at Yongsan but once that was sorted out getting around was easy peasy. 

I was scheduled to work today but an opportunity arose that I couldn't pass up. Today, at 1:30pm, I will be going to an orphanage called Angel House along with two other Student Ambassadors, Eric and Brisbane. Angel House is not a regular orphanage. What makes this orphanage special is it caters specifically to children with physical disabilities of varying degrees. Every first Saturday of each month, 40 volunteers go up to this orphanage, located in the outskirts of Seoul. As volunteers we help out by cleaning, making food, feeding and interacting with the children.

Beginning in high school, my ideal job was to start and orphanage, or at least work at on, in either China or South Korea. At the moment this is as close to that dream I will get but I know that it will be an experience like no other. 

For the summer I am enrolled in a class. Each week we have to write a journal entry about any topic of our choosing that relates in some way to the assigned reading. For my first entry I will be writing about being disabled in Korea. From my personal experience through travelling via metro, Korea is not 100% accommodating to people of disabilities. I will elaborate on this late, but for now, it's time to head to Angel House. Of course I'll be writing a blog entry about Angel House and my experience there so wait for the update!

Annyeong~

"Chef" Symone

Back home in DC the majority of my meals were microwaved food from Whole Foods. In Massachusetts my school's campus has 13 dining halls to choose from. This being said, I rarely, aka never, cook. Here in Yeosu I've given myself the challenge to cook filling and to-some-extent-healthy meals. Here's my progress so far.

Dish #1

Ddokbokggi - Spicy Rice Cakes
I added cucumber to make it my special :)

It tasted good but it's made badly. There is hardly enough sauce. I didn't know to add water until the nice cleaning 이모 (aunt) gave me cooking advice. I'll know for next time! 

Final meal-- Spicy rice cakes, rice in tofu wrap, and pickled radish

Dish #2:
Bean Sprout Soup

I saw it at a restaurant and decided to attempt to make it. Key word: attempt. It wasn't too bad but the taste could have been a lot better.

Final meal-- left over Spicy rice cake, bean sprout soup, and pickled radish (if you can't tell it's my favorite side dish)

Dish #3:

Soba noodles 

I learned about Soba noodles from a graduated senior friend, Sarah Kang. My noodles aren't the same as hers but it was still very tasty. Since the noodles are served cold I can make a big batch and bring it to work in tubberware for lunch/dinner. 

Put the noodles in soy sauce, chopped garlic, and a litttlleeee bit of sesame oil.

Final meal-- Soba, left-over bean sprout soup, and fruit (kiwi and korean melon)

I'm running out of food and needed to eat what I had left so that's why the components of this meal are very random. 

All of these meals are really simple to make but I have to start somewhere! Just that fact that I'm chopping up fresh vegetables and cooking them is amazing to me. I feel like an adult!!!!!!

Within the week Chelsea and I are going to cook for our friends at the Australian, Thai, and German Pavilion. We were trying to think of what types of dishes fell under the category of "American food". Our result: Soul food. We'll make fried chicken, mash potatoes, macaroni and cheese, etc. We'll see how that goes.

More updates coming soon! Thanks for reading :)

John Legend!!!

Last night John Legend came to the Expo!!!!!! Why John Legend, of all people? I still have no clue but the concert was great! John Legend is an artist that both me and my mom enjoy. I got off of work at 3pm with the plan to get there asap and get good seats. I didn't get their until 4:30pm yet the whole place was nearly packed! I had nooooooo idea that John Legend's popularity was so huge in Korea.

Hope you don't have to go to the bathroom... this is only 1/3 of the crowd

We got really close but we had to sit on the ground. Thanks to my 24x super zoom camera I was able to get some good pictures and videos! During the 3 hour wait we took some power naps and made friends with the people around us. A really nice 이모 (Aunt) shared her kimbap with us. After hours of waiting and discomfort the concert finally began!! John Legend rolled up to the stage in his car and when he got out tons of girls were screaming their heads off... one of those girls may or may not have been me. The concert was only an hour  long but he sang a bunch of songs (many I'm embarrassed to say I didn't recognize). BUT he did sing my two favorite songs: Green Light and Ordinary People. What was annoying was when he was playing there was so much talking happening and even verbal fights in the crowd. Later I asked an 오빠 (older brother) who also went to the concert how big Legend's popularity was in Korea. Apparently its not HUGE. He's known but not like American pop artists. I found out the majority of the people who came had no idea who John Legend was.  Annoying? Yes. But I had an awesome time with Chelsea who is a huge fan of JL. I can't wait to go to more concerts!

Super zoom camera is awesome!!!!!

Byeee! 

First Official Days of Work; Life so far

Long time no post!

Saturday was the opening of the Expo! We started work at 7:45am (ugh so early) so that we could be sworn in by Ambassador Kim ---->

 and greet the first visitors to the USA pavilion. I also got to have lunch with Deputy Assistant Secretary Stout. ---> 

During that time we were able to ask her about her job and her role within the government. Talking to her and listening to her story is making me think again about what I want to study in college. I definitely will major in East Asian Studies but I'm not sure whether I want to stick with film as a minor or work towards the International Relations Certificate. When talking with DAS Stout, one thing she said the resonated was her offices commitment to People-to-People Diplomacy. Over the past few days I've met and interacted with so many people ranging from toddlers to grandmas and grandpas who come from Asia, Africa, Austrailia, etc.  I'm not crazy about government/ politics but I want to continue this kind of interaction with people of so many different backgrounds.

Other than working at the Pavilion, I've been exploring around Yeosu.  I've been to the super market twice already. I'm trying to cook myself food rather than buying stuff. So far I've made 유부초밥, Spaggetti, and.... that's it! I bought ddokbbokgi (spicy rice cakes) to make but I haven't gotten around to it.
Since vegetables and fruit are so expensive at the supermarkets, Chelsea and I recently found a local 시장 (street market).

my attempt at 유부초밥... it's a little messy but practice makes perfect :)

I also met some AWESOME friends from Thailand. Now that I think about it, I've hung out with them every night since I've met them. Two nights ago they invited us to have dinner in their apartment. They actually know how to cook so it was a real treat. Thai food= yummy!!!

The majority of my Thai friends~

Eating Thai food at their apartment

 I also met amazzzzingggg Korean-Aussie friends! After finishing work at 3pm today I went around to other pavilions to get stamps for the Expo passport (trying to one from each country). During that time a befriended a guy from Japan, a girl from Kazakhstan, and a couple of guys from Angola! Tell me where else you can meet people who live thousands of miles away from each other in until 3 hours? This is exactly why World Expo's are such amazing opportunities that everyone should know about. Also, meeting all of these people makes me want to learn all of the world's languages! My next language project is Thai! Since beginning work I've used English, Korean, and Chinese! Speaking with Chinese visitors reminded me house much I truly LOVE speaking Chinese. I just really dislike learning/being tested on it. Since I'm not taking Chinese next semester I'll have to find a way to still use it.

The weather the past few days reminds me of Massachusetts weather.. it's been cold, overcast, and today through tomorrow it is supposed to rain. I still love the town of Yeosu but I had enough of cold weather all school year, I'm ready for warm weather!




Side note: It's graduation time! Congrats to all of the Smithies, Umassers, and Mohos! Good luck with everything in the future!